A Bill Can Be ‘Held’ by a Legislative Committee in Several Ways

October 11, 2022 4:30 pmOctober 11, 2022 4:34 pm

In the California Legislature, a bill can be “held” in three distinct ways, which seems rather odd because it would appear that the end result is the same – the bill is not moving forward from the policy or fiscal...

Why Are Conference Committees Rarely Used in the California Legislature?

October 11, 2022 6:29 amOctober 11, 2022 6:38 am

In the past, the California Legislature used conference committees as a regular part of the legislative process. However, despite extensive rules and procedures for their use, the conference committee in the California Legislature is largely nonexistent today. Why is that?...

California State Assembly nearly empty except for a few folks in the balcony.

What Are the Two Types of Author’s Amendments?

October 11, 2022 6:13 amOctober 11, 2022 6:19 am

A bill author can amend his or her bill in two different instances. These are called “author’s amendments” and they can occur before formal committee or floor action, or during those times. The first type of author’s amendment occurs before...

Establishing a Quorum In the California Legislature

October 10, 2022 7:40 amOctober 10, 2022 7:44 am

What is the importance of a quorum and how is it established? In the California Legislature, according to the Office of Legislative Counsel, “a quorum must be recorded in order for legislative business to be transacted.” For example, Section 7(a)...

Legislative Records Program at California Secretary of State

October 9, 2022 3:34 pmOctober 9, 2022 3:40 pm

The California Secretary of State (SOS), among numerous other programs that are administered by her office, has a legislative records program According to the SOS, “the Legislative Records Program (LegPro) works closely with the State Legislature to identify and preserve...

Can the Legislature Be Recalled from Recess?

October 8, 2022 8:37 amOctober 8, 2022 8:44 am

With talk of a possible special session beginning on December 5, 2022 when the California Legislature convenes its 2023-24 Regular Session, another question that has been posed is whether the Legislature can be recalled from its current joint recess? The...

A Short Primer on Special Sessions in the California Legislature

October 8, 2022 8:15 amOctober 24, 2022 8:34 am

The California Legislature can meet in regular, special, or joint sessions. A “session” is the designated period of time in which the Legislature meets. A “joint” session, which can occur in a regular or special session, is one in which...